Both the boxes are far from what one considers a traditional work of art. I mean, someone who can’t write the four-letter word shine in a straight line didn’t make these boxes for aesthetic purposes. These follow the tradition of folk art as everyday beauty from utility and need. These emerged in the 30′s and 40′s during the depression; when everything collapsed in a fell swoop and the world became much more dark. It’s an interesting parallel to the financial crisis of today; because instead of wining about their home foreclosing and how banks are to blame people back then actually got off their ass and did something. No job? Fine, we will go shine shoes; anything to get a buck. Although crudely painted, these boxes represent the optimism and struggle of an era. One says “no credit”, as if someone would actually get their shoe cleaned and be dirtbag enough to say, “hey I’ll pay you back tomorrow when I see you on the street (thanks though)!!”. One is in plain white writing, on pure black wood, and says “shin” (shine was too hard to fit apparently), and looks like the work of a kindergardener. It still has the amazing construction to hold together after all these years from one cheap piece of wood, and looks so out of place in today’s world. They still can be admired today at Lift Trucks, and hey maybe those whining unemployed college kids will come in and get an inspiration.